"If he comes and we've won a lot of trophies, I'll be very pleased," Benitez told the BBC's Richard Conway.

"Guardiola has a fantastic record."

After deciding to take some time out after winning his 14th trophy in four years as Barcelona coach in May, Guardiola has been linked with a number of clubs, among them Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

"Everybody is talking about Guardiola - Guardiola this, Guardiola that - but Guardiola is just one man, he can go to just one club," said Benitez, who was speaking in Japan ahead of Sunday's Club World Cup final against Brazilian side Corinthians.

When asked how he would feel if Blues owner Roman Abramovich asked him to leave at the end of the season, the Spaniard said: "When I decided to come, I knew I was signing a contract for six or seven months, so I was not thinking about more after these seven months."

Benitez has had a hostile reception since taking over at Stamford Bridge, but the 52-year-old believes he can win over fans.

"After the improvement of the team, the way I will play [and] the style I will have, I think a lot of fans will say: 'Maybe we were too hard and we have to give him the chance to bring the confidence back to the team and the fans'," he said.

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says he feels he has "two or three years at least" left as a top-level footballer.

The England international, 34, has had an injury-hit season and made only his second appearance since recovering from a calf problem when he came off the bench against Monterrey on Thursday.